Classic and Contemporary Poetry
KNAPWEED, by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON Poet's Biography First Line: By copse and hedgerow, waste and wall Last Line: To live and die alone! Alternate Author Name(s): Benson, A. C. Subject(s): Knapweeds | ||||||||
BY copse and hedgerow, waste and wall, He thrusts his cushions red; O'er burdock rank, o'er thistles tall, He rears his hardy head: Within, without, the strong leaves press, He screens the mossy stone, Lord of a narrow wilderness, Self-centred and alone. He numbers no observant friends, He soothes no childish woes, Yet nature nurtures him, and tends As duly as the rose; He drinks the blessed dew of heaven, The wind is in his ears, To guard his growth the planets seven Swing in their airy spheres. The spirits of the fields and woods Throb in his sturdy veins: He drinks the secret, stealing floods, And swills the volleying rains: And when the birds' note showers and breaks The wood's green heart within, He stirs his plumy brow and wakes To draw the sunlight in. Mute sheep that pull the grasses soft Crop close and pass him by, Until he stands alone, aloft, In surly majesty. No fly so keen, no bee so bold, To pierce that knotted zone, He frowns as though he guarded gold, And yet he garners none. And so when autumn winds blow late, And whirl the chilly wave, He bows before the common fate, And drops beside his grave. None ever owed him thanks or said "A gift of gracious heaven." Down in the mire he droops his head; Forgotten, not forgiven. Smile on, brave weed! let none inquire What made or bade thee rise: Toss thy tough fingers high and higher To flout the drenching skies. Let others toil for others' good, And miss or mar their own; Thou hast brave health, and fortitude To live and die alone! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ENGLISH SHELL by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON IN THAT DAY by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON REALISM by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON THE ANT-HEAP by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON THE PHOENIX by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON THOMAS GRAY by ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON AN AMERICAN IN BANGKOK by KAREN SWENSON THE YARN OF THE 'NANCY BELL' by WILLIAM SCHWENCK GILBERT WINTRY WEATHER by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861) THE CHOIRMASTER'S BURIAL by THOMAS HARDY BY THE STATUE OF KING CHARLES AT CHARING CROSS by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON |
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